Commercial Music, B.A.

 Bison image - General Education Course

 Cap graduation image - Milestone course: a key success marker for your major. See your advisor to discuss the importance of this course in your plan of study.

The Core Curriculum is designed to foster critical thinking skills and introduce students to basic domains of thinking that transcend disciplines. The Core applies to all majors. Information on specific classes in the Core can be found at https://www.marshall.edu/gened/.

Course Requirements

Core Curriculum
Core 1: Critical Thinking
FYS 100First Yr Sem Critical Thinking3
MTH 121 Bison image Concepts and Applications (CT)3
Critical Thinking
Core 2
ENG 101 Bison image Beginning Composition3
ENG 201 Bison image Advanced Composition3
CMM 103 Bison image Fund Speech-Communication3
MTH 121 Bison image Concepts and Applications (CT)3
Core II Natural/Physical Science
Core II Humanities
Core II Social Science
Core II Fine Arts
Additional University Requirements
Writing Intensive3
Writing Intensive3
Multicultural/International
MUS 497 Bison image Capstone Project in Music1-2
Core Requirements - Music
MUS 100Applied Music Laboratory (8 semesters)0
MUS 110The Professional Musician1
MUS 111Elementary Music Theory I2
MUS 112Elementary Music Theory II2
MUS 113Elem Aural Skills I2
MUS 114Elem Aural Skills II2
MUS 211Advanced Music Theory I2
MUS 213Adv Aural Skills I2
MUS 217Jazz Theory4
MUS 227 Bison image History of Popular Music3
MUS 231Jazz Improvisation I2
MUS 232Jazz Improvisation II2
MUS 250Survey of Jazz3
MUS 315Basic Conducting2
MUS 323Jazz Arranging/Composing3
MUS 361Music History Since 19003
MUS 412Jazz Pedagogy and Conducting3
Major-Specific Requirements
MUS 218Intro to Music Technology3
MUS 219Digital Recording Techniques2
MUS 310Perf Arts Entrepreneurship1
MUS 326Music Industry Law3
MUS 327Intro to Music Business2
MUS 427Commerical Music Business2
MUS 432Electronic Music Comp2
Piano 1
MUS 179AClass Piano (hours do not count toward degree)1
MUS 179BClass Piano (hours do not count toward degree)1
MUS 279CJazz Piano Class (hours do not count toward degree)1
MUS 279DJazz Piano Class (hours do not count toward degree)1
Applied Study
8 credits of applied lessons on primary instrument. One credit per semester of study.
Major Ensemble8
The jazz ensemble or jazz combo serve as the major ensemble for instrumentalists, while the a cappella ensemble serves as the major ensemble for vocalists. A jazz combo section to serve as an ensemble to students whose interests/skill sets are more aligned with commercial music genres (including vocalists). Students also have the opportunity to perform in several secondary ensembles each semester. One credit per semester of study.
Jazz Ensemble
Jazz Ensemble
Jazz Improv Ensemble
A Cappella Ensemble
Restricted Electives
Select one of the following:3
Introduction to World Music
Music History 1730 - 1900
Electives 21-13
Recommended Electives from the College of Business:
MKT Concepts and Applications
Entrep Law & Ethics
Marketing for Entrepreneurs
1

Or successful completion of piano proficiency.

2

Up to 6 credits of music coursework (upper division courses only) may be allowed as elective credit. Music ensembles do not count towards elective credit.

Semester Plan

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
First SemesterCredit Hours
MUS 100 Applied Music Laboratory 0
MUS 111 Elementary Music Theory I 2
MUS 113 Elem Aural Skills I 2
Applied Lessons, 100 Level 1
Major Ensemble 1
MUS 179A Class Piano 1
UNI 100 Freshman First Class 1
FYS 100 First Yr Sem Critical Thinking 3
Core II Fine Arts 3
MTH 121 Bison image Concepts and Applications (CT) 3
 Credit Hours17
Second Semester
MUS 100 Applied Music Laboratory 0
MUS 110 The Professional Musician 1
MUS 112 Elementary Music Theory II 2
MUS 114 Elem Aural Skills II 2
Applied Lessons, 100 level 1
Major Ensemble 1
MUS 179B Class Piano 1
CMM 103 Bison image Fund Speech-Communication 3
ENG 101 Bison image Beginning Composition 3
 Credit Hours14
Second Year
First Semester
MUS 100 Applied Music Laboratory 0
MUS 211 Advanced Music Theory I 2
MUS 213 Adv Aural Skills I 2
MUS 218 Intro to Music Technology 3
MUS 231 Jazz Improvisation I 2
MUS 279C Jazz Piano Class 1
Applied Lessons, 100 level 1
Major Ensemble 1
ENG 201 Bison image Advanced Composition 3
 Credit Hours15
Second Semester
MUS 100 Applied Music Laboratory 0
MUS 217 Jazz Theory 4
MUS 219 Digital Recording Techniques 2
MUS 227 Bison image History of Popular Music 3
MUS 232 Jazz Improvisation II 2
MUS 279B Jazz Piano Class 1
Applied Lessons, 100 level 1
Major Ensemble 1
Elective 1-2
 Credit Hours15-16
Third Year
First Semester
MUS 100 Applied Music Laboratory 0
MUS 315 Basic Conducting 2
MUS 323 Jazz Arranging/Composing 3
MUS 326 Music Industry Law 3
MUS 327 Intro to Music Business (corequisite with MUS 326) 2
Applied Lessons, 300 level 1
Major Ensemble 1
Elective 3
 Credit Hours15
Second Semester
MUS 100 Applied Music Laboratory 0
MUS 250 Survey of Jazz 3
MUS 310 Perf Arts Entrepreneurship 1
MUS 427 Commerical Music Business 2
Applied Lessons, 300 level 1
Major Ensemble
MUS 200 Bison image
Introduction to World Music (Restricted Elective)
or Music History 1730 - 1900
3
Elective 4
 Credit Hours14
Fourth Year
First Semester
MUS 100 Applied Music Laboratory 0
MUS 412 Jazz Pedagogy and Conducting 3
MUS 432 Electronic Music Comp 2
Applied Lessons, 300 level 1
Major Ensemble 1
Core II Natural/Physical Science 4
Elective 3
 Credit Hours14
Second Semester
MUS 100 Applied Music Laboratory 0
MUS 497 Bison image Capstone Project in Music 2
Applied Lessons, 300 level 1
Major Ensemble 1
MUS 361 Music History Since 1900 3
Core II Social Science (MC/I, WI) 3
Core II Humanities (CT, WI) 3
Elective 3
 Credit Hours16
 Total Credit Hours120-121